When I am sailing fast on my Prindle my left rudder seems to be unlocking and coming up. Is there something I can do to fix this?
the best thing you can do for your p-16 is to balance the helm and adjust the rudders by the book...once you have the pitch/tow and rake adjusted for the slight weather helm and the rudder still pops up then it's either worn out springs or vary likely bent/worn out lock down bolt. the springs are cheap, the bolts are 30$ each...ouch... also go through the process of taking the slop out of them(nylon fender washers in the castings). i have made a few sets of bolts from the identical ss carriage bolts i found at my local fastenall store. it takes a 4" angle grinder, a round file, and a flat file, safety glasses, and about 15 minutes. after i installed them, i spent a few minutes easing off the excess metal to get the release tension i liked. once you get the rudders right like you like them, they are a piece of cake!
Edited by coastrat on Jul 11, 2011 - 07:10 AM.
coastrat
Let me look into it more and find out what part is worn. Thanks Bill
Alex, had the same problem on my P18, easy fix, the locking bolt is adjustable and it's this adjustment that "latches" the locking bolt harder or softer, it alters the angle of the locking bolt onto the latching arm . Just shorten the locking bolt untill required strength of latch is achieved, you can check it manually by dropping the rudder down into the lock position, then pull rudder to check strength of lockdown.
turbo
Turbo
On-The-Edge-Of-No-Control
Thanks Turbo, that answers a question I had also. I want to sail in Matagorda Bay and there are a lot of shallow areas there so I wanted to make sure my rudders would break away easily.
You-R-Welcome.......... :biggthumpup:
Turbo
On-The-Edge-Of-No-Control